Session 7: Solomon's Foolishness Divides the Kingdom

We do dumb stuff sometimes...

Play FailArmy video

What about you?

Have you ever done something dumb and ask why did I do that when you look back on it? I know I have.

I remember I felt dumb after I did it, but there was a girl I had a crush on in school and I thought it would be a good idea to buy her a rose and give it to her on valentines day. The only problem was she didn't know I even liked her and had not really ever talked to her much. We saw each other at band practice, that was about it. Let’s just say I chickened out at the last min. I had the rose and got all the way to her homeroom class then quickly hide the rose.

I remember I felt dumb after I did it, but there was a girl i had a crush on in school and I thought it would be a good idea to buy her a rose and give it to her on valentines day. Only problem was she didn't know I even liked her and had not really ever talked to her much. We saw each other at band practice, that was about it. Let’s just say I chickened out at the last min. I had the rose and got all the way to her homeroom class then quickly hide the rose.

There are things we do all the time that might not be the wisest choice or quickest way of doing something, but they are not what the Bible would call a dumb choice.

What does the Bible say is a dumb or foolish decision?

Foolishness is the failure to give God glory in every area of life.

Solomon was one of the wisest men to ever walk this earth, yet, with all his wisdom, it still did not prevent him from falling into sin and disobeying God. Like those before him, like his father David, Solomon failed to be the king the people needed.

Solomon was a wise man and in that wisdom, he grew in his knowledge, wealth, and all that money can buy in this life.

Solomon was a wise man and in that wisdom he grew in his knowledge, wealth, and all that money can buy in this life.

The only problem with having a lot of stuff is that the stuff causes you to become distracted and self-dependent. The stuff gives you false security and you don’t desire God as much. Not like you did when you had to depend on Him for even your basic needs.

The only problem with having alot of stuff is that the stuff causes you to become distracted and self-dependent. The stuff gives you a false security and you don’t desire God as much. Not like you did when you had to depend on Him for even your basic needs.

Stuff is not bad and can be a great thing to experience and enjoy, but when it becomes more important and more satisfying than your relationship with God, that's when it becomes bad.

1 Kings 11:9–13 CSB

9 The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 He had commanded him about this, so that he would not follow other gods, but Solomon did not do what the Lord had commanded. 11 Then the Lord said to Solomon, “Since you have done this and did not keep my covenant and my statutes, which I commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 12 However, I will not do it during your lifetime for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of your son’s hand. 13 Yet I will not tear the entire kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem that I chose.”

1 kings 11:9-13

Our foolish choices not only affect us negatively, but they also hurt others.

Solomon allowed his personal desires to make him think that everything he did only affect himself. That's the lie that many of us believe, in that our bad choices are not a big deal because they don't hurt anybody but ourselves.

In what way did Solomon’s choices impact others?

Although much of our relationship with God is personal, if is not necessarily private. The decisions we make have public consequences, some good and some bad. As believers, we have a responsibility to make decision that reflect well on the God we serve.

The choices you make today affect your future. You maybe thinking that the person you will become is far far away, but its not. The person you are right now is the makeup of the person you are becoming in the future.

“YOLO” was a popular phrase a couple of years back. It was usually followed by one or a series of foolish decisions that had consequences for more than just that person.

Our choices affect us and others in a positive or negative way. Solomon in all his great wisdom still got caught up in the lie and it cost him, his family, and the nation of Israel greatly.

What was the core reason Solomon experienced the discipline of God? Why is that important to recognize?

Solomon’s heart had turned away from the Lord.

All sin comes from shifting loyalties in our hearts: either we are turned toward the Lord in love and loyalty or we are turned away from Him in sin. Those are the only two options.

God’s commands are not about separating Israel from the other nations but preserving the holiness of His people so the nations will see in them the Lord’s goodness.

How do you think the Lord (God) felt about Solomon’s sin?

1 Kings 12:12–17 CSB

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had ordered: “Return to me on the third day.” 13 Then the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice the elders had given him 14 and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.” 15 The king did not listen to the people, because this turn of events came from the Lord to carry out his word, which the Lord had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. 16 When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered him: What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Israel, return to your tents; David, now look after your own house! So Israel went to their tents, 17 but Rehoboam reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

Although much of our relationship with God is personal, if is not necessarily private. The decisions we make have public consequences, some good and some bad. As believers, we have a responsibility to make decision that reflect well on the God we serve.

Consider any recent decisions you’ve made. Do you think you made wise or foolish decisions in those situations?

What are some signs that a person has a “divided” or “distracted” heart?

Love or worship of other things or people creates a division in the heart of God’s people by setting up on the throne of our hearts.

It pushes God away when we give our hearts to other idols.

God has to remain at the center of our lives if we are to resist sin and succeed in this life.

Let this be our prayer tonight as we close.

Psalm 86:11b CSB

11 Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.

The psalmist knew that he could not worship God and fear the Lord unless God has his undivided affections.